December 17, 1996
(COOPERATION Agreement)

Garnish-Point Rosie Trail Association receives government support

The Garnish-Point Rosie Trail Association received $96,000 in government support today to design and construct a bridge which will provide year-round access to the multi-purpose trail which runs between the two communities. The completion of this multi-purpose trail will create opportunities for the establishment of adventure tourism operations, contribute to the diversification of a traditionally fishery-related region, and create new employment.

Today's announcement was made by Roger Simmons, MP - Burin-St. George's on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), (Veterans Affairs), and Judy Foote, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, who joined in applauding the efforts of the communities involved for their collaboration in this project.

"The Garnish-Point Rosie Trail Association has worked to make a substantial contribution to the economic development of this region," said Mr. Simmons. "The community work gone into this project is what regional economic development is all about. Communities, individuals and governments have worked together to form partnerships to make the completion of this trail a reality. Not only will it contribute to the diversification of the economy in the area, but it will encourage economic spin-offs for adventure tourism related services."

The funding announced today will complete the final phase of the Garnish-Point Rosie Trail. A bridge will be designed and constructed over the Garnish River to provide year round access to the 25 kilometre trail which offers diverse wilderness and nature experiences, access to spectacular coastline as well as to an abandoned outport. The completion of this multi-purpose trail will enhance opportunities for the establishment of adventure tourism operations to take advantage of one of the fastest growing segments in the international tourism industry. The addition of this eco-tourism project in the area will also enhance and complement existing commercial tourism operations and attractions in the region.

"This project will contribute to the economic diversification of the area as well as directly create four jobs during the construction period, with more expected due to economic spin-offs," said Ms. Foote. "This trail has been a long-time ambition of the trail association and I commend them for their dedication to this initiative which will contribute to the economic development of their communities. While governments have been able to provide the funding to complete the project, the development of the trail has largely been a community effort, due in no small measure to the countless hours of volunteer effort and community fundraising which has gone into this project."

The Garnish-Point Rosie Trail Association was originally formed in 1993 by 130 ATV owners who banded together to construct an ATV Trail from Garnish to the resettled community of Point Rosie. The trail is used by ATV users, snowmobilers, cross country skiers and hikers. The association maintains the trail through volunteer member labour and fundraising efforts. The chairperson of the association is Melvin Francis.

Funding announced today comes from the Canada/Newfoundland Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement (SRDA) which is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

• Contact:

  Paul Murphy
  COOPERATION Communications
  (709) 772-0219

  Susan Laite
  Department of Development and Rural Renewal
  (709) 729-4570